Candela is a top-down and seamless V-neck cardigan. Designer Andrea Mares wanted to add texture to the classic V-neck silhouette by using the Alpine stitch – one of the first compound stitches she learned as a crocheter. It’s a visually striking stitch that is much easier to work than it looks. The design combines subtle techniques to create comfortable, wearable garment that is as much a joy to crochet as it is to wear!

SIZES
1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9)
Recommended ease: 5” / 12.5 cm of positive ease.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest Circumference: 35.5 (39.75, 43.5, 46.5, 50.75) (55.25, 57.75, 62, 66.25)” / 90 (101, 110.5, 118, 129) (140.5, 146.5, 157.5, 168.5) cm.
Total Body Length (shoulder to hem incl ribbing): 21.25 (21.25, 21.75, 22.25, 22.25) (22.75, 22.75, 23.75, 24.25)“ / 54 (54, 55, 56.5, 56.5) (58, 58, 60.5, 61.5) cm.
Upper Arm Circumference: 16 (17, 18.25, 19.25, 20.25) (20.25, 22.5, 23.5, 23.5)” / 40.5 (43.5, 46, 49, 51.5) (51.5, 57, 59.5, 59.5) cm.
Sleeve Length: 18.75 (18.75, 18.75, 18.75, 17.75) (17.75, 17.75, 16.25, 16.25)“ / 47.5 (47.5, 47.5, 47.5, 45) (45, 45, 41.5, 41.5) cm.

MATERIALS
Yarn: Alpaca 2 by Isager (50% alpaca, 50% wool, 273 yds / 250 m – 50 g).
C1: 6 (7, 7, 8, 8) (9, 9, 10, 11) skeins in the colourway Sky.
C2: 6 (7, 7, 8, 8) (9, 9, 10, 11) skeins in the colourway Rose.

Or approx. 3280 (3440, 3820, 4260, 4370) (4590, 4910, 5240, 5680) yds / 3000 (3150, 3500, 3900, 4000) (4200, 4500, 4800, 5200) m of fingering-yarn in total (C1 + C2).

Two strands of yarn are held together throughout the pattern.

Alternative yarn suggestions are Cascade 220 Fingering by Cascade Yarns or Knitting for Olive Merino (both held double), or Baby Cashmerino by Debbie Bliss (held single).

Hook: US G-6 / 4 mm.

Notions: Stitch markers, 4 buttons approx. 0.8–0.9” / 20–24 mm in diameter.

GAUGE
15 sts x 16 rows to 4” / 10 cm in Main St Patt with yarn held double, after blocking.

NOTES
This cardigan is worked from the top down. First, the back yoke is worked from the top of the shoulders until the underarms. The left and right fronts will be worked directly from the top of the back yoke, with a few regular rows followed by inc rows to shape the neckline. Both pieces are then worked until the underarms. All three panels are then joined together into one long row to form the rest of the body. The sleeves are worked directly from the body of the sweater. The bottom ribbing, button band, and sleeve cuffs are all worked by making alternating rows of yarn over slip stitches and regular slip stitches in the back loop only.